Bump and Run (Wide Open #6)

Chapter Forty-Two

Jones

I tightened my grip on Charlie’s hand as we walked down to the garage. Our little honeymoon bubble was over. As much as I hated to leave the confines of our bed, because that’s what it was now, we had jobs to return to. We had arrived at the track last night, staying in the same RV, and kept to ourselves for just a few hours longer. But now, I could feel the stares of our fellow competitors. The murmurs and shocked gasps as they caught us together, fingers laced. I kept my chin up as I nodded at a few drivers, but I felt relief wash over me the moment I caught sight of Ollie. The only other person here that I would feel comfortable with.

“So, you’re really official now.” My best friend grinned as he jutted his chin toward our interlaced hands. “I mean, in front of the world. You were already official, but now you’re official, official.”

Charlie squeezed my hand but didn’t let go. “It feels good.”

“It feels amazing, but everyone is staring, right? I’m not imagining that?” I glanced around to prove my point. Kit walked past us without saying a word, and I caught the hurt in my best friend’s eyes before he looked away. “What was that about? I thought you two were figuring things out. ”

Ollie forced a smile. “Don’t try to change the subject.” He swallowed and looked away. “Yeah, everyone was pretty much gawking when you two walked in. I wouldn’t be surprised if you get called the hauler for a talking to. You know, because it’s a little risqué and all.”

“What?” That had never happened to me before. I was a clean driver. I never fought with anyone on or off the track. I wasn’t known for being a bad boy or a troublemaker. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

Charlie dropped my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry, Bashful. It’s going to be fine. We’re going to come clean and tell them everything when the time is right. Plus, now that my dad is going to be investing in our future, we can make that announcement soon, too.”

“Back up a second. Your father is doing what? I thought he hated you and racing.” Ollie’s eyes ping-ponged between the two of us.

I shrugged. “We sort of made up with him and Mama. They want to throw us a big party for our wedding after the season is over. I hope that you and Kit can make it. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

“I don’t know about that, Jones.” His gaze flicked behind us for a second before he sighed. “We can catch up later, okay?” He hurried off without another word, but when we turned around, we caught sight of Kit for a split second before they both disappeared behind the garage.

Well, that was interesting. Two seconds ago, Kit ignored Ollie like he didn’t know his first name, and now it seemed like they were going to kiss and make up. Or whatever. I didn’t need to focus on that right now .

“Do you think we’re going to get into trouble?”

“No.” Charlie grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips to press a kiss against my knuckles. “But if we do, at least we’ll be there together. Are you ready to go into the garage, or do you need more time to gather yourself together? We’ll take as long as you need, Bashful.”

I stared up at him, my husband, and felt a smile pull at my lips. My husband. I still couldn’t believe that Charlie was mine. Forever and ever. I hummed happily.

“I’m good.” I was, too. I was usually nervous and self-conscience around my fellow drivers, but today I felt different. I felt alive. Happy. In love.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, baby, I’m sure.”

Charlie grinned at me, then leaned forward and kissed me softly. “Then led the way.”

I grabbed his hand and tugged him closer before we went inside the garage.

Together.

***

“You’re probably going to want to make some sort of statement,” my PR rep, Eric, suggested as he typed something on his phone. When I didn’t answer, he stopped to stare at me, his brows high on his forehead. “Jones, are you listening to me to me right now? This is serious.”

I grimaced. “Uh, yeah. But why?”

“Why, what?” He tilted his head as he glanced at Charlie. “You need to do the same. I can help you both write something up. You can do it together or separately. Everyone knows you’re a couple now. It’s the marriage part that is going to surprise them. People are already speculating on social media. Here.” Eric held out his phone to show a picture of Charlie and me from when we first met. “Someone found this on your Insta.”

I grimaced. “I mean, we were together then, and things were complicated. That shouldn’t be a crime. We were just kids.”

“You’re brothers. What’s more complicated than that?” Eric asked.

Charlie grunted. “ Stepbrothers. We’re stepbrothers, and we weren’t when we first met. Neither of us knew our parents were together when we fell in love. It just sort of happened.” I turned to stare at my husband, a smile spreading over my face. “What, Bashful?”

“Nothing.” I blushed and turned back to Eric. “I’ll say whatever you want me to.”

Charlie shook his head. “No, we’re not going to do it like that. You write something up that we’ll check over and post after my lawyers have taken a look at it. Our relationship is no one’s business. I don’t care what people think. I love Jones, and that’s all that matters.”

“Mm...” Eric stared at Charlie before he turned back to me. “What about interviews? Do you want to—”

“No.” Charlie stood up. “And you can go now. Like I said, send over what you want us to say, and I can let our lawyers look it over. That’s all.”

That shouldn’t be as hot as it was, but swoon. I watched as Eric climbed to his feet, gathered his things together, and left, shutting the door behind him. Charlie eased himself onto the couch next to me.

“Thanks.”

“You need a new PR person. That guy is an asshole.”

“Do you really have lawyers? As in multiple?”

He chuckled. “Yeah, Jonesy, I do. Which means now you do, too.”

I leaned into his hand when he placed it against my cheek.

“Fuck, you’re so pretty.”

“Charlie, we’re having a serious conversation.” I could feel the blush that was creeping up my neck and over my face.

He smiled. “I know, but you’re very distracting.”

Charlie climbed to his feet.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

He headed to the fridge, grabbed two hard ciders, and carried them back over to me, opening one and holding it toward me.

“Thank you.”

Charlie sat down. “You’re welcome, Jonesy.” He took a long sip from his own bottle before he winked at me. “I meant what I said. Eric is a dick, and you deserve better. Someone who can market you the way you deserve.”

“I don’t want to be marketable. I just want to drive a stockcar,” I told him.

He sighed softly. “Jonesy, my sweet, innocent little Jonesy. You have no idea, do you? That this is going to be a big deal. You’re gay, you’re a NASCAR driver, and you’re married to a man. A man whose father happens to be the governor of North Carolina and plans to run for president someday and your stepfather. Think about what that means. You’re going to be plastered on a lot of social media accounts. People are going to dig into your background, and mine, trying to prove you’re not the perfect man that you are. We’re going to get us some PR that can make us look good no matter what. Even if I’m not. And you’re going to fire Eric immediately.”

“But you are good, Charlie. You’re so good that it makes my insides shake and my heart burst from my chest. You’re kind, funny, and smart. You’re not this bad person you think you are. I wouldn’t be with you if you were,” I whispered, and when Charlie kissed me, I melted against him.

That familiar taste of cinnamon and apples ripped through my senses. I felt Charlie take the bottle from my hand, and he didn’t even pull away when he placed them safely on the floor. He pushed me onto my back and curled his fingers into my hair. He kissed me like his life depended on it. And it took my breath away.

“No one has ever said things like that about me before, Bashful. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. And I love you more than anyone. All I want to do is keep this smile on your face. The one you’re wearing right now,” Charlie whispered.

I cupped his head in my hands. “Keep loving me, and I promise that I will never stop smiling.”